Molding machine



y 1 50 LLB. GREEN 2,514,486

MOLDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 1945 45 o x o o C) o addl/y 4 175 a I" Q 2f: 0 e G o 5 o o o 6 =2:-

7 INVENTOR.

LEE 5! Gees/v BY firmz/yEvs July 11, 1950 Filed NOV. 21, 1945 B. GREENMOLDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

A55 5. Cress/v W WW4 July 11, 1950 B. GREEN I ,51 ,486

MOLDING MACHINE Filed NOV. 21, 1945 v 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M 76 70INVENTOR.

LE5 6f Gees/v HTTOENEY5 L. B. GREEN MOLDING MACHINE July 11, 1950 FiledNov. '21, 1945 INVENTOR LEE 5. Gae s/v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July11, 1950 umrso: sures PATENT OEFIGE:

MOLDING MACHINE" Lee; B. Green, Lakewood, Qhi oj Application November21, 1945, mama 630L086 iaolaims. (cilia-5y 1 This;.inventionsrelatesrto.apparatus.;.fon molds ing articles from. plastic.material..and;-asroneu-o its; objects; aims to. provide..-improvedappat ofthis kind-ib s which plastic articlescan be pro.- ducedveryrap-idly;and ieconomically.

Another, object .of ;the -.-present inventiomis: to. providezanimprovedmolding machin'ewhichcan be .used in. producing; a varietyroii differentsplasticf: articles and .whichscan be a used: to particular advantage in:producing.threaded'zplastic; articles; suchas. bottle caps; because;it; embodies-1 novel means-(for ,dis'engagingi. the rthreadeforming diemembenj'fromthe molded-articles.

A further -object of the invention is to; provide an improved; molding.machine. oi; the-charactermentioned, in which thedieimernbersare-capable ofrproducing, a group. oLthe: plasticzarticlesinone molding. operation; andgnovel, means employed for. disengagingonerofxthendiemembers. from the molded articles.

Stillanother: objectwofsthis invention is-;tc, pro-. videuan improvedplastic-molding machine; hav: ing azepluralityy of molding units;disposed in.:.,a group, and in whichimoldable. material; is; fed, bynovel means-to themespectiveyunits; from 3115 11? $193.01 centralmagazine.

A .further; object 01 the inventionjstto provide improved multiple unit,molding: apparatus in which thermolding units: are disposed-in an apenular' or polygonal group-andthe; central mega: zineisilocatedinside;the group,-

Yet another object; is .to provide an improved, plastic moldin machineof the .type having; such grouped units and; central magazine andvwhere;-

in.-novel.conv.eying means- -.is..disposed.relative to the-units. so,asto. receive the molded; articles therefrom.

This invention also seeksv to provideimproved molding apparatus-of the.character. mentioned, 4

which embodies argroup of; individual molding units and. wherein one or;more unitszcan be teme porarily cut; out. and. renderedinopera-tivewhile the others continua inroperatiOn.

The. invention-can beiurther briefly summarizeds as consisting, .imcertain novel-combinations and arrangements; of" partshereinafter-described and-particularly set out in the appended claims.

Fig. 1. isan'elevational viewoi, amultiple ;unit plastic moldingmachine: embodying; the present invention; pOrtions "of the machinebeing shown in' vertical section.- I

Fig. 2-is.-;a-plan;view ofthe machine showing the: same partly: inhorizontal se ction,,as.:indi cated by section ,line,2-.-2. of: Fig- 1.

Fig-1.31155 awpar-tial sectionalnelevatlon-showing 2 the. coope in ed mmbers; ofv onennitioiithe machine :and the material feeding means whichserves the diemembers; of such unit; the-,view being; takensubstantially as indicateclg; by; -line 3.- 3-of Fig.p2.-

Fig. 4- .is a ,l-partial verticalrsectional, viewr;on-' ;a larger.-scale taken through the idieg-memhfillswof one. of the un s andish w nathesme ns-ior tuatinefthe rouped-1 die p1unse s-.;

Fig; -5 iss'a transverseqsectional view taken 10h ine -.5rof Fie;;;4-;and further: illustratinaz-the actiiat na: means: for the: gr uped di poneers;

Fis'.; :a-.partia1 vertical sectional-:viewrtaken rcuehianother;par0i;:the :die p un ermu: ating means as indicated. by; line .5I,.-B-'.;0f;Fig:. I

Fig;. '7- is asectional [plan tview thereof: taken n ne. 11 of;;.-F.i.,6'...

i s: another-.1 pa t al: plan. 'viewr-otathecmne nlesrun t manenandazshow ns thezz onve ina nd co l tinameansrfor the moldedarticles.-

Fi s 9 sia zpartialaelevati nal view :show'ng the m ch sm for. ctu t n h.v uttles: whic. feed em ldab e materiali he.resp et we--units;

Fig. l0.-is a partial plan viewofsuch mechanism ss n fro zthe. directionindicated by: 1191] us-m Oi -Fig; 9:"

Fig-.11; is a partial venticaksectional view taken hrou h:.-a::modifi1ed;form ,of .mult nleii-nit:plastic molding machine-s,

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation taken through theadie .mem-bers:thereof Fig. 13 ;:is;:a transversei Sectional :view: taken-.pn line; I3-"-I3:of-. Fig. .12;

Eigrl l is a sectional lcletail view; taken through one: ofthe :feed:shuttles and showing amod-iii.- ca-tion thereof:

Fig..=.,l5 is a plan :view' showing. a bottle: cap and repres exiting:oneform ofplastic article which can be- 'producem' by theimprovedmolding; mach-in'e and" I Iii-the embodiment ofthe --inventionillustrated inFigsrI; 2-and3, the drawings show a multiple unit moldingmachine l0 which -can beusedifor rapidly and economically producing"plastic arti-.- cles "such as the moldedjbottlecap ll shown in Figs.15;.and 16jor variousother molded articles, The'bottlecap l I here shownis of a conventional form having therein a recess Ila and an, internalscrewthreadQIZ. molded in the side. wall oi the recess. Thep j'rticularcap here shownalsohasa convexly' rounded top. l lb... One ofthe problemspresented in molding plasticyarticles having ,such

a threaded portion is the step of disengaging the thread-forming portionof the die from the molded article. This is accomplished in the presentmachine by novel means and in a practical manner as will be explainedhereinafter.

The machine includes a frame l4 which provides a support for the variousmember constituting the respective molding units 15. The individualmolding units are servedby a common or central magazine [6 whichcontains a supply of any suitable moldable material H such as a plasticmaterial in powder, granular or pellet form. These molding units can bearranged in a row adjacent the magazine It, or preferably as here shown,are disposed in an annular or polygonal group which surrounds themagazine. The

molding units 15 are preferably also disposed in an upright relationwhich conserves space and permits the magazine 16 vto be disposed in acentral upright position so that the feeding of the moldable material I!will be assisted by gravity. The frame Mean be of any appropriateconstruction and shape and, as shown in this instance; includes asubstantially horizontal base [9 adapted to stand upon a floor or othersupport and a hollow central member or column 20 extending above suchbase. The base l9 projects laterally beyond the column 20 to form anannular cylinder support 2| to which further refer ence'will presentlybe made. At different distances above-the cylinder support 2| the column20 is provided with surrounding annular ledge or table portions 22 and23. The frame 14 also includes inner and outer upright tubular members24 and 25 which form the inner and outer walls respectively of the upperportion of the magazine IS. The tubularmembers 24 and 25 are mounted onthe upper portion of the hollow centralcolumn 29 and themse1ves formsupports for various parts of the molding units. The inher tubularmember 24 preferably extends downwardly beyond the outer tubular member25 and partway into the upper end of the hollow column 29. formed by aninclined annular plate 26 which extends downwardly and outwardly fromthe lower end of-the tubular member 24 for directing the moldablematerial toward annularly spaced feed openings 21 which serve therespective molding units [5.

Each of the molding units l5 includes a stationary die body 29 supportedon the annular shelf 22 of the frame l4 and a die head 30 which isdisposed above the die body and is movable toward and away from thelatter. Each molding unit I5 also includes a lower actuating cylinder 3|mounted on the annular cylinder support 2| and an upper actuatingcylinder 32 supported by the annular shelf 23 and located in substantialvertical alignment with the die body 29 and the lower cylinder 3|. Eachof the units 15 also includes adie plunger actuating. device 33 which issupported on the upright tubular member 25 and is located above and insubstantial alignment withthe upper cylinder 32.,

In addition to the main portions of the molding machine H! which havealready been referred to above, the machine includes a conveyor 35forreceiving and collecting the molded articles This conveyorincludes atraveling conveyor member 36 which extends adjacent the stationary diebody 29 and when the mold units 15 are in an annularlygroupedarrangement as here shown, this movable conveyor memberis in the form ofan annular member extending around The bottom wall of the magazine I6 isI 4 the group. The conveyor member 36 is supported for annular movementas by an annularly extending row of bearing members 31 which are mountedon a frame extension 38, the latter being supported by the shelf 22 ofthe frame I4.

As shown in Fig. 1, the movable conveyor member 36 is located atsubstantially the same height as the top of the die body 29 so thatmolded articles displaced in a direction laterally or radiallyoutwardlyfrom the die body will. be transferred onto this" conveyormember. A substantially horizontally disposed feed plate 40 located atan elevation corresponding with the top of the stationary die body 29spans the space between the die body and the conveyor member 36 andforms a support on which the molded articles can be slid during theirmovement outwardly to the conveyor member. An upright annular guard rail4! extending around the conveyor member 36 prevents the articles fromfalling ofi of this conveyor member or being projected. therebeyondwhile being discharged from the die body 29.

As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the stationary die body 29 comprises ahollow member in the upper end of which is located a die insert 42having one or more bores or die cavities 43 of a shape correspondingwith the. exterior of the article to be molded. In this instance the dieinsert 42 is provided with a group of six such die cavities which aredisposed in an annular group surrounding the central vertical axis ofthe die mechanism. .Since the bottle cap H is circular in plan shape thebores or die cavities 43 are of a corresponding cylindrical shapealthough they can be of any other desired plan shape according to theform of the article tobe molded. l

The die body 29 also includes a lower die member or'plunger; or as shownin this instance, a group of lower die members or plungers 44 whoseupper ends extend into and are-slidable in the die cavities 43. Theplungers 44 form the closure members for the lower ends of the diecavities 43 and, in this instance, the tops of the plungers are of aconcave shape as indicated at 45 to correspond with the-c'onvexly curvedtop lib of the bottle cap I I. The lower die plungers are carried by aholder 46 which is,- in turn, connected with an upright actuating rod41. The lower end ofthis actuatingrodextends into and is connected withthe piston of the 'lower actuating cylinder 3!. This cylinder isa'double-acting cylinder and when suitable motive fluid,such as oilunder pressure, is supplied to its lower end by the fluid connection 48the plungers 44 will be moved upwardlyto apply'pressure' to the moldablematerial in the die cavities 43 and to subsequently lift the moldedarticles out of the die cavities. When pressure fluid is supplied to theupper end of the cylinder 3! through the connection 49 the die plungers45 are retracted or moved downwardly in the die'cavities.

Moldable material from the magazine I6 is supplied to the die cavities43 by novel feed mechanism which will be described next. This feedmechanism includes a, feed slide or shuttle 5| for each of the moldingunits l5 and which shuttle is reciprocably movable acrossthe upper faceof the die body' 29 and the die-insert 42-." The above mentioned-feedplate 40 is extended laterally inwardly beyond the die body 29and formsa support upon which the shuttle 5I'is slidable. The shuttle 5| can bein the form of an elongated substantially flat block or slab and has'afeed chamber 52 therein of suitable size and shape for hold ing anappropriate quantity of the moldable ma- 5. terialilll When thedie'zbody 29 is providedwith a group of the die cavities 43, asmentioned. above, the feed chamber=52iisof a size to. encompass all ofthesecavities and to'carry a' sufficient quantity of material toprovide. a proper charge of mold-' able material in each of thesecavities.

When .the feed shuttle 51 is inzits retracted po-: sition as shown inFigs. 1 and 3, the feedchamber 52. is in communication with'the lowerend of the magazine 16; through the: feed passage .21 and then receivesa charge of the. moldable material H from the magazine. When the shuttleis moved outwardly throughga. feeding stroke the chamber'52 istranslated to aposition; overlying and communicating with" the diecavities 43, whereupon, thesmoldable material "will be'fed downwardlyinto these'cavities. After each such feeding stroke the shuttle, isretracted to the charging position for-refilling of the feed chamber 52from the magazine [6 preparatory to the nextfeeding stroke:

The outer end of theshuttle 51 is provided with a thrust element orbumper53, such as a block of wood or rubber, which kicks the previouslymolded article or articles off of the top of'the mold body 29 withsufficientmomentum to cause them to slide outwardly over. the feedplate'4il onto the movable conveyor member 46. p

The feed shuttles 51' for all of the molding units lfi can be actuatedsimultaneously and, for this purpose, the machine. H! is provided with avertically reciprocable commonactuating rack i (see Figs. 1 and 9).Whenthe molding units are disposed in the annular group above describedthe rack-54:15 annular or polygonal in shape and is located centrally ofthe group and. carried bya vertical actuating rod 54a which extendsthrough thetubular frame member-241 The upper end of the actuating rod54a extends into a'centrally disposed double-acting pressure fluidcylinder 56 and isrconnected with a pistontherein. The feed shuttles5I-are connected with'the rack 54 by linkages 55' which aresubstantially identical with each'other and'one of which willnow bedescribed.

The linkage 55 includesa bell crank lever 5'! whichis supportedaby'abracket 58'for swinging movement on a pivot 59. The shuttl 5|isconnected with the upperend, that is, the relatively longer arm 51a ofthe lever 51 by a ball and socket ccnnectionfill': The linkage alsoincludes a sector 6| adjacent which the lower end of the bell cranklever. 51'- is disposed and whose outer end hasa toothed portion Siawhich meshes with the rack 54. The sector 6! is also mounted forswinging movement on the'pivot 59 of the bracket 58. The sector remainspermanently in engagementwith the rack -'54 and is oscillated on thepivot 59=as the rack is reciprocated by the power cylinder 56. Therelatively shorter arm 51b of the lever 5! is adapted to be connectedwith or disconnected from the sector 6! by the pin 62 according towhether the shuttle is to be actuated or rendered idle. Wheneverit isdesirable to render the feed shuttle of one of the molding units i5inoperative the pin 62 of the corresponding linkage is withdrawn from anopening of the sector 6!, whereupon, the sector will have an idlerocking movement on the pivot-59 and will be ineffective for rocking thelever 51'.

The control pin 62 is suitably carried by the pivoted head 6300f thefork 63; the latter being pivotallymounted on the bracket58 by themember 631) andadapted to be shifted by means of' a handle 64 projectingtherefrom. The handle 64 cooperates .withlia latch member 65' mounted ntheframe l4 and when the handle is 111?. its full line position of Fig.10'the pin 62 will be engaged in the sector 61 for connecting the lever5T'for oscillation withithe sector. When thehandle 64 is shifted to itsbroken'line position of Fig. 10 the pin 62 willbe retracted from thesector and the feed shuttle 5i of the corresponding molding unit l5Willbe rendered-inoperative while the feed shuttles of other units maycontinue tooperate. When the pin'62 is engaged in thesector 6| itoscillates with the sector and this movement of the pin is accommodatedby the arcuate slot 66 of the pivoted fork head 63a;

The die head 3ft comprises a generally cylin-; drical verticallyelongated body whose upper end extends into the upper cylinders! andforms or carries a pistoniiT which is reciprocablein" this cylinder foractuating the die head. This die head carries one or more upper dieplungers 68 which cooperate with the lower die plungers' i for applyingmolding pressure to the moldable material previously fed to thediecavities-Mi: Whenthe die insert 42 is provided with a group of thedie cavities 43 as in this instance; a, corresponding number of theplungers Sa is provided on the die head '30. The plungers 68 projectfrom the lower end of the die head and are movable into the die cavitiesit. These plungers are of a size to correspond with the recess Ila whichis to be molded "in the bottle caps l I- and have thread-formingportions 68a thereon for molding the internal threads min the caps;

For closing the upper ends'of the die cavities 43 so that the materialtherein can be subjected to pressure by the lower die plungers 45, thedie head 30 is provided at its lower end with hollow extensions 69 ofa'size and shape to enter and close the die cavities. The upper dieplungers 68 project from the die headv 30 through these ex-' tensionsand when'the die head has beenlowered to a positionadjacent the die body29 in which the die cavities are" closed by the extension 69,the-threaded portions 682 will extend into the die cavities in theproper relation for forming the internally threaded recesses Ila in thearti-'- cles. Downward; or closing movement is imparted to the die head38 by supplying pressurefiuid to the upper end of the cylinder 32through the connection Til. Upward or opening movement is imparted tothe die head 3!] by supplying pressure fluid to the lower end of thecylinder 32 through the connection M. Fig. 3 shows the die head in itslower or die closing position and with the material being molded toarticle form in the die cavities 33. From the construction justdescribed it will be seen that the plungers G8 and the sleeves or hollowprojections 69 together form the upper die members or composite dieplungers.

When the articles H have been moldedin the diecavities tithe threadedportions 68a of the upper die plungers 68 will be locked in the diecavities by the molded articles by reason of the interengagement betweenthe threads of. the die plungers and the articles. Before lifting thedie head 38 it is therefore necessary to disengage or unscrew the upperplungers 68 from the molded articles. To permit this to'be done theplungers 68 are mounted in the die head 30 (see Fig.4) for both rotaryand axial movement. movementis imparted to all of the plungers G8simultaneously by means of a driving pinion l2. Eachof the plungers'fithas a gear 13' thereon which meshes with the driving pinion'and; asshown in Fig. 5, the gears of the plungers form The rotary The axialmovement of the plungers 68 is imparted thereto simultaneously withtheir rotation such that the threaded portions 68! will have a lead oraxial movement appropriate for the threads which have been formed on themolded articles. For obtaining this axial movement the plungers and diehead 30 are provided with cooperating screw elements !6 having the samelead or pitch as the thread which has been formed on the molded article.During the rotation of the plungers by the pinion 12 the thread elements16 impart the desired axial movement so that the threaded portions 58aof the plungers will be unscrewed from the molded articles and retractedinto or relative to the die head 30. Axial movement of the plungers 68in an upward direction is limited by the engagement of their pinionswith an abutment surface or stop 30a of the die head and axial movementin a downward direction is limited by the engagement of the threadcarrying portions of the plungers with the abutment surfaces or stops3012.

When the threaded portions 68a of the upper die plungers 68 have beendisengaged from the molded articles in the manner just described the diehead 30 is lifted or opened relative to the die body 29 by supplyingpressure fluid to the lower end of the cylinder 32 through theconnection H. The lifting of the die head 30 disengages the extensions69 thereof from the die cavities 43 thus leaving the cavities open forthe ejection of the molded articles therefrom. Thereupon the lowercylinder 3| is operated to move the lower die plungers 44 upwardly inthe die cavities. This upward movement of the plungers 44 lifts themolded articles out of the die cavities to an exposed position in whichthey can be engaged by the bumper 53 of the feed shuttle for kicking themolded articles off of the die body 29 and across the plate 40 onto themovable member 36 of the conveyor 35..

The same movement of the shuttle 5! which Q kicks the molded articlesfrom the die body 29 moves the feed chamber 52 to a position overlyingthe die cavities 43. At this point in the sequence of operation thelower cylinder 3| is operated to move the lower die plungers 49 in adownward direction, thereby sucking the moldable material from the feedchamber '52 into the die cavities 43. It is not necessary that the dieplungers 44 actually produce a suction because in certain instance themoldable material may be of a character to flow by gravity downwardlyinto the die cavities substantially simultaneously with the downwardmovement of the plungers. When the die cavities have thus been filledwith the moldable material, the die head is moved to its closed positionby supplying pressure fluid to the upper end of the cylinder 32 throughthe connection '10. This causes the extensions 89 of the die head toclose the upper ends of the die cavities as mentioned above, thereupon,the upper die plungers 68 are actuated by imparting thereto the abovedescribed rotar and axial movement in a direction to cause the threadedportions 68d to be projected from the die head and moved into 8 the diecavities 43 by being screwed into the mold able material.

When the threaded portions 68a have been moved into the die cavities forthe proper distance, the actuation of the plungers is stopped and thecondition of the molding dies is then one in which the cavities 43 arecharged with moldable material and are in the closed condition with thethread-forming portions of the upper plungers E58 therein in theirproper position. The moldable material is then subjected to pressure byactuating the lower cylinder 3! to move the lower die plungers 44upwardly in the die cavities. The pressure applied by the plungers 44causes the material to be: compressed to the density and volume desiredfor the molded article. During the application of this pressure by thelower die plungers the upper cylinder 32 merely functions as a holdingcylinder for holding the die head in its closed position.

The driving pinion T2 of the die head 30 is driven, in this instance, bya hollow shaft 18 which projects from the die head through the tubularextension 19 thereof. The lower end of the shaft 18 is provided withteeth or serrations which are held in meshing relation withcorresponding teeth or serrations 8| formed on the body of the pinion12. These teeth are retained in meshing engagement with each other bythe rod 82 which extends through the hollow shaft 18 and has its lowerend connected with the pinion 12 by the threaded engagement '83. Thehollow shaft 18 extends upwardly from the cylinder 32 into the housingof the device 33 which, as mentioned above, forms a part of themechanism for disengaging the mold plungers 68 from the molded articles.

The device 33 is here shown as having a housing 85 suitably supported onthe tubular frame member 25 and having a gear '86 rotatably mountedtherein. The hollow shaft I8 has a splined portion 18a which extendsthrough and cooperates with a splined hub 81 which is also rotatable inthe housing 85. The gear 86 is disposed around the hub 81 but is notconnected therewith. In disengaging the threaded portions 68a of theupper mold plungers -68 from the molded articles, it is desirable thatthe initial disengaging movement be imparted suddenly to these plungerportions. For this purpose, the gear 86 is provided with an upstandingpin or stop '88 and the hub 81 is provided with a radial arm 89 whichcooperates with the stop -88 in forming a lostmotion driving connectionbetween the hub and gear.

The gear 86 is driven by a suitabl power device such as the fluidpressure rotary motor having a driving pinion 9i meshing with the gear.When the threaded portions 68a of the die plungers have been projectedfrom the die head 30 in the manner described above, the hub 8'! willcome to a stop by reason of the engagement of the plungers 68 with theabutment surface 30b of the die head. The fluid motor 90 will thereuponbe stalled with the pin 88 of the gear 86 in engagement with the arm 89of the hub 81. Whenthe die plungers 68 are to be rotated to disengagethe portions 68a from the molded articles, the fluid motor 90 isoperated in the opposite direction causing the gear 86 to be rotated ina direction which carries the pin 88 away from the arm 89. The hub 87will temporarily remain stationary and no rotative movement will then beimparted to the die plungers 68. However, when the pin 88 has travelledthrough a distance :9 just short ofa fullrevolution it will suddenlyengage the arm 99 from the opposite side and by picking up the arm willrotate the hub 81 in the direction desired for disengaging the plungerpor tions 6811 from the molded articles. The engagement of the pin '89with the arm 89 in this manner causes asudden initial actuation of thedie plungers '68 which is desirable for breaking the portions 68a awayfrom the molded articles. The lost-motion connection between the gearand hub also enables the motor 99 to accelerate to its working speedbefore picking up its load.

When the portions 68a have been fully disengaged from the articles bythe above described combined rotary and axial movement, th upper ends ofthe plungers will engage theabutment surfaces 30a of the die head andfurther movement of the .plungers and of the hub 81 will be stopped. Thefluid motor99 will again b stalled and will remain in this conditionuntilits direc-. tion of rotation is reversed for again extending thedie plungers relative to the die head. In connection with the device 33it will be. noted that the spline connection between the hub 8! and thehollow shaft I9 permits thehollow shaft to move upwardly and downwardly.with the die head 39 without interfering with therotation of the hollowshaft by the fluid motor 99. The portions of the shaft I8 and the rod 82which extend above the housing of th device 33 can be covered andprotected by an upright tubular extension 92 of the housing '85.

In the actuation of thedie head so by-the cylinder 32 as describedabove, it may be desirable 'to stop the upward movement'of the piston 51as soon-as the die head has been lifted high enough above the die body29 to accommodate the transverse movement of the feed shuttle -,5Itherebetween. This can be accomplished by providing an automatic valve93in theconnection ID for the upper end of the cylinder 32. This valveis adapted to be closed by a cam 93a which is carried by the extension'19 of the die head 39. The position of the cam on its bracket 931) canbe adjusted (see Fig. 11) for different articles to be 'molded and issuch that when the die head has been lifted the desired distance thiscam will close the valve 93 thereby trapping the fluid in the upper endof the cylinder 32 and stopping the upward movement of the die head.

As explained above the conveying mechanism 35 provides the annularconveyor member 36 which travels in a clockwise: direction around thegroup of molding units I5 and the molded articles are kicked off of thedie bodies 29 onto this moving conveyor member. This conveyor membercarries the molded articles to a delivery station designated 94 andshown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. At this point of the conveyingmechanism the annular guard plate 95 is provided with an opening 96through which the articles can be discharged'from the conveyor member 35into .a chute 9'I.

The transfer of the articles from the conveyor member 35 to the chute 91is accomplished by means of a, traveling abutment in the form of an.endless belt 98 which extends laterally through the opening 99 of theguard plate 95 andis lo- .cated so as to also extend across the conveyormember at. a height to be engaged by the articles being advanced by thelatter; The belt 93 is mounted on a pair of pulleys 99a and 991), thelatter of which is driven in a clockwise direction so that the portionof the belt which is engaged by the articles will tend to move-thearticles toat ases ward and through the opening 96. Thecombinedmovements of the. conveyor member 35 and the belt 98 will causeall of the articles. to be displaced from the conveyor member throughthe opening 96 into the chute 91. From the chute 91 the molded articlescan be discharged-directlyinto a container, or as here shown, can be.deliv ered onto a belt conveyor 99 by which thearticles can .be carriedto a desired place-of storage or further treatment. r. I

In the conveying mechanism just described above the annular conveyingmember 35 is driven by a sprocket I00 which cooperates with theouterperiphery of this conveying member. For thispurpose the conveyingmember. 35 can be provided with an annular series of teeth in its outerperiphery or, preferably, as here shown, has achain IOI extending aroundits outer periphery and anchored thereon and with which the sprocket I99has driving engagement. -The belt 98 andthe conveyor 99 can be suitablydriven from the shaft I92 which is in turn driven by the chain. I03.Although the molding machine it hasbeenherein shown and described ashaving a group of r the upper die plungers 68 on the die head39 thereof,it will be understood, of course,,that,if desired this die head canbeequipped with a single die plunger instead of such a group.- that casethe die head of the machine It would correspond with the die head shownin the modi fied molding machine which is hereinafter de-. scribed. Itwill also be understood that suitable control mechanism will be'providedfor control: ling the. supply of pressure fluid to the various cylindersand to the; rotary motor 99 so as to produce the above describedsequence of opera tion. In operating the' machine I!) any desired numberof the units I5 can be used and those units, which are not needed can becut outer rendered inoperative. This can be done by closingappropriately located valves I04 in the fiuidpressure lines and byshifting the control lever M of the feed shuttle actuating linkage tothe inoperative setting. V i

In Figs. 11, 12 and 13 of the drawings a modi fied form of moldingmachine I I0 is shown which is similar to themachine in but difierstherefrom in that it has a die head equipped with'a single die plungerand is designed for use in. molding articles from a thermoplasticplastic material. In this modified machine III) the stationary die bodyI II has a single bore or die cavity I I2 there} in and has a singlelower die plunger I I3 which extends upwardly into the bore of thediezbody and is actuated in the same manner-as thedie plungers 44 of themachine Ill. The die body I II has a heated section II5 surrounding thelower portion of the bore-and adapted to be heated by a suitable heatingcoil I I6. The die body also in: .cludes a cooling section I I!surrounding the bore adjacent its upper end and lying above the heat ingsection II5. A partition II 8 of-thermal insulating material is disposedbetween theheated .and cooled sections of the die bodyg Waterpr othercooling liquid can be circulated through the cooling section by means ofthe conduits'II9.

At a point adjacent the lower end of the heated section M5 the die bodyIII is provided with an inlet passage-I2! whichcommunicates with the diecavity I I 2 througha port I2 Ia in the side wall thereof. Themoldablethermoplastic material is contained in a central magazine I22 which, inthis case, is in the form of an'upright cylinder and serves all of themolding units of the machine. A head I23 provided at the lower end ofthe cylaisies cider has outlet passage-s mui'erein' for-the re;spe'ctive molding units and which are connected the respective inletpassages 121 by the-con duits I 25. The conduits I25; the head I23 andlower portion of the cylinder I22 are main in a heated condition bysuitable heating elements I26 eitendin'g therearou'nd. 'I'h'ethermoplastic material contained in the magazine 122 is fed or injectedinto the mold cav-iity [I2 through the inlet passage I2'I by'applyi'n'g'appropriate pressure to the supply of material contained in themagazine: For this purpose the feed magazine is providedwith areciprocable plunger I2I which can be actuated by apressure new cylinderor other appropriate power device (not shown). The thermoplasticmaterial is charged'into the magazine cylinder I22 from an annular binor container I28 wl iich surrounds the piun'ger I211 'I h'e material isfed downwardly from: the bin I28 into the cylinder I'2Z by the meteringdevices I 29. These inetering devices are in the form of star wheelswhich are driven in timed relation to the movement oi the plunger l l'l' b'y means of the pinions 130 and the tracks ISI cooperatingtherewith. The racks I'3I are actuated simultaneously with the plunger121.

Each unit Of IZhe mOHi fiBd molding machine I II] is] provided with anupper cylinder (33" which is sinharto the'upper cylinder 32 ofthemachine I arid has a die" head I34 reciprocable therein are providedwith an actuating piston I35. The ale-need I3! is providedat its lowerend with a new extension I3'I5 which is movable-into and closes the uper end of thedie cavity H2. An

upper die plunger I31 rotate-tie an xe-11y movablethe die head 13 i;so'that it'can'b'e prb= iect'ea'mm and 'retraced' into the hbiiewextension- I 35. The" lower end of" the die plunger-J31 is provided witha threaded'portion 133 which is mova le-mm the die cavity m an formingthe threaded recess in the article being molded.

The die pmng'er I31 is adapted tofbe rotated in the die head m by ahollow snafu I39 whose lower end is connected with the plunger by meansof" the cooperating teeth F40. The upper end of this hollow shaft isprovided with a sp'line'd portion. which cooperates with an'actuatingdevice 33f (see Fig. 1) which is constructed and operates in the manneralready described above The desired axial movement for unscrewing theplunger portion I 38lfrom the molded article can be imserves to theplunger, while it is being rotated, by'means of the cooperating threadedelements farming a screw connection 'I4I between the plunger and diehead.

Irl 'the operation of this modified molding machiiie III) 'the lower dieplunger N 3 is moved downwardly in the die body 1 n so that its uppereiid is at a point below the inlet port I2 Ia. The die head' I34 is"moved downwardly causing the extension [36 thereof to enter the.diecaVi ty'IIZ and extend into' the bor'ethereof to a point somewhatabove the port I 2Ia depending upon the a e-1 length of the article tobe molded The portion of the bore lying between the adjacent ends (tithelower plunger H3 and the' extension I36'defi nes the die cavity.Theupper die plunger I 3! is then; extended or projected fromthe'extension I315} so as to be disposed in the proper relati'ori in thedie cavity. Heated material is then inject dint'o the die cavity fromthe cylinder I22 through the inlet passage- 121' under'the' pressureeppuea to the material by the feed plunger I21. fif th-ls time the diecavity is lying in the heated section H5 or the 'die body In and remainin 12 heated section until it been filled with the moldabl'e material. g

When thefdie cavity I I 2 has been-thus'filled the downward pressure onthe die head I34 is removed or decreased and upward molding pressure isapplied to lower plunger I I3. The upwardly acting pressure of theplunger H 3 subjectsthe material to a molding pressure in the die cavityand at the same time the lower plunger and the' die head move upwardlyconjointly in the bore ofthedie body H I. This upward movement causesthe lower plunger to cuto'fi the supply passage I'2I by covering theinlet port IZIa. This movement also causes the molded'article to becarried out of theheated section I I5 and into the cooling sect-iorifl1; The movement or the lower plunger and the die head can be such ast'ohold the molded article temporarily in the cooling'sectiori, oi-ifdesired, can be such as to move the'mol'ded' article-continuouslythrough the cooling; section to the top of thedie bore.

While the'article is, still" in the upper and of the' die bore thepressure" being appliedbythe lowe'r' plunger H3 and to the die head I'34is re lea'sed or removed and rotary and axial movement is thenimpartedtoth'e' upper die plunger I31 for retracting the threadedportion I38 by unscrewing the same from the molded article. As soon asthe threadedjportion of the plunger hasbeeri thus unscrewed from thearticle the die head is moved to its fully elevated position and thelower plunger I I3 is moved further upwardly to lift themold'edarticleout of the bore of the die body I. The molded article is then kickedfrom the top of the die body so as to be transferred to the annularmember 36 of the conveying mechanism 35. This is accomplished bysuitablemea'ns such as the air jet I43 which directs an air blas't'outwardly across the upper end ofthe die bod'y l I I as shown in Fig.11'. Immediately following the above described steps the lower plunger'I i3 is again moved downwardly in the die body and the die head I34 isalso lowered to cause theeitension I36 to close the die bore andcooperate with" the lower plunger in again forming adie cavity. At"substantially the same time the upper plunger I3! is projected from theextension I36i'nto the die cavity.

Although the modified molding machine III) has been described above witha single die cavity it-will be understood of course thatthe die memberscan be provided with multiple cavities and plunger's similar to thosedescribed above for the machine H1.

Fig; 14 shows another modification of the moldin'g machine In whichconsists in the use of an insert or filler H5 in the feed shuttles '5].The insert I 45 serves as a metering means for measuring" the amount ofmoldable material which is to be" supplied to a die cavity which hasbeen selected for a particular article to be molded. The insert I45isher'e shown as having a single feed or metering chamber I46 thereinbut, if desired, this insert can have a plurality of such chambersto'correspond with a grouped arrangement of die" cavities.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings it will nowbe readily understood that the present invention provides improvedplastic molding machines of the multiple unit type which can be used forrapidly and economically producing various forms of molded article's.

Although the improved molding machines have been illustrated anddescribed herein in" consid- 13 erable detail, it will be understood ofcourse, that the invention is not tobe regarded as being correspondinglylimited but includes all changes and modifications coming within thescope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a molding machine of the character described, an endless group ofstationary die bodies each having a mold cavity therein adapted toreceive moldable material, means movable relative to the respective diebodies for subjecting moldable material to pressure in the moldcavities, a magazine located substantially centrally of the group of diebodies and adapted to contain a supply of said moldable material, andmeans for feeding the material from the magazine to the mold cavitiescomprising a separate feed shuttle for each die body and such shuttlesbeing movable back and forth between said magazine and the respectivedie bodies of said group and operating means for imparting such movementto said shuttles.

2. In a molding machine of the character described, an endless group ofstationary die bodies each having a mold cavity therein adapted toreceive moldable material rneans movable relative to the respective diebodies for subjectin moldable material to pressure in the mold cavities, a magazine located substantially centrally of the group of diebodies and adapted to contain a supply of said moldable material, meansfor feeding the material from said magazine to the die cavitiescomprising a separate feed shuttle for each die body and such shuttlesbeing movable back and forth between said magazine and the respectivedie bodies of said group and operating means for imparting such movementto said shuttles, and conveying means disposed around said group andhaving a movable carrier adapted to receive molded articles from saiddie bodies and to carry the articles to a delivery station.

3. In a molding machine of the character described, an endless group ofstationary die bodies each having a mold cavity therein adapted toreceive moldable material, means movable relative to the respective diebodies for subjecting moldable material to pressure in the moldcavities, a magazine located substantially centrally of the group of diebodies and adapted to contain a supply of said moldable material, anendless group of feed shuttles disposed in substantially coaxialrelation to said group of die bodies and comprising one such shuttle foreach die body, said shuttles being reciprocably movable substantiallyradially of said group of die bodies in a back and forth travel betweensaid magazine and the individual die bodies for transferring charges ofsaid material to said mold cavities, and means for actuating saidshuttles.

4. In a molding machine of the character described, a substantiallycircular group of stationary die bodies each having a mold cavitytherein adapted to receive moldable material, means movable relative tothe respective die bodies for subjecting moldable material to pressurein the mold cavities, a magazine located substantially centrally of thegroup of die bodies and adapted to contain a supply of said moldablematerial, an endless group of feed shuttles disposed in substantiallycoaxial relation to said group of die bodies and comprising one suchshuttle for each die body, said shuttles being reciprocably movablesubstantially radially of said group of die bodies in a back and forthtravel 14. between said magazine and the individual die bodies fortransferring charges of said material to said mold cavities, and meansfor actuating said shuttles, said feed shuttles comprising slides havingmaterial-receiving openings therein adja-- cent their outer ends andbeing movable to a discharge position over the mold cavities for feedingsaid material to the latter and the shuttle actuating means having.operative connection with the individual shuttles at points inwardly ofsaid openings.

5. In a molding machine of the character described, an annular group ofstationary die" bodies each having a mold cavity therein adapted toreceive moldable material, means movable relative to the respective diebodies for subjecting moldable material to pressure in the moldcavities, a magazine located substantially centrally of the group of diebodies and adapted to common actuator and enabling the latter to ac-,

tuate all of said shuttles simultaneously.

6. In a molding machine of the character described, an annular group ofstationary ,die bodies each having a mold cavity thereinadapted toreceive moldable material, means movable relative to the respective diebodies for subjecting moldable material to pressure in'the moldcavities, a magazine located? inside the group of die bodies andadaptedto contain a supply of said moldable material, feed shuttlesmovable between said magazine and said die bodies for transferringcharges of said material to said mold cavities, an annular rack locatedinside said group and adapted for axial movement, means for movingsaid-rack, and linkages con' necting the respective feed shuttles withsaid rack and including toothed members having meshing engagement withthe rack.

7. In a molding machine of the character described, a group ofstationary die bodies each having a, mold cavity therein adapted toreceive moldable material, means movable relative to the respective diebodies for subjecting moldable material to pressure in the moldcavities, a magazine located adjacent the group of die bodies andadapted to contain a supply of said moldable material, a feed shuttle'for each die body and such feed shuttles being movable between saidmagazine and the individual die bodies for transferring charges of saidmaterial to said mold cavities, a common actuator located adjacent saidgroup, means for moving said actuator, linkages connecting therespective feed shuttles with said common actuator, and means forrendering said linkages individually effective orineffective.

8. In a molding machine of the character described, an annular group ofstationary die bodies each having a bore therein, a pair ofsubstantially aligned die plungers movable in each bore from oppositedirections with their adjacent ends in spaced relation so as to define adie cavity in a portion of the bore, a pair of fluid pressure cylinderslocated on opposite sides of each fdi'eibody and having pistonsroperable therein and :connected with the die plungers for actuating thelatter, said plungers being 'relatively movable in the boresforsubjecting moldable material to pressure in the die cavities, -amagazine .locatedsubstantially centrally of the group of die bodies andadapted to contain a supply of said moldable material, an annular groupof feedshuttles disposed in substantially coaxial relation to said groupof die bodies and comprising one such shuttle for each die body, saidshuttles being movable back andforth between said magazine :and said diebodies for transferring charges of saidmaterial to'said'die cavities,and means for actuating said shuttles comprising a common actuatingmeans located substantially on the axis of the shuttle group andadaptedto actuate all of said shuttles simultaneously.

9. .In ta molding machine of the character described, an annular groupof stationary die bodieseach having a; bore ithereima pair of sub"stantiallyaligned die plungers movable in each bore from oppositedirections with their adjacent'endsin spaced relationso as to define adie cavity in a portion :of the bore, a pair of fluid pressure cylindersIlocated on opposite sides of each dieEbody and having pistons operabletherein and'iconnected with the die plungers for actuating the :latter,:said 'plun'gers being relatively movable in 'the bores for subjecting"moldable materialto ipressure -in the die cavities, amagazinelocatedsubstantiallycentrally of the group ofzdieibodies andadapted to contain a-supply ofsaid .moldableimateri'al, an annular groupof feed 's'huttles .dis-posed'in substantially coaxial relation to "saidgroup of die bodies and comprising one such shuttle for each die body,said shuttles-being movable back and forth between said magazine andsaiddie bodies for transferring charges-of saidmaterial tosa'id diecavities, and means for actuating said shuttles comprisinga commonactuating means located substantially on the axis of the shuttle groupand adapted toactuate all of 'the'feed-shuttles simultaneously, saidfeed shuttles comprising slides having material-receiving openingstherein being movable to a dischargeposition over die cavities forfeeding 'saidmaterial to latter.

:10. A molding machine of the character described comprising, a frame, astationary die body on said frame and having a die cavity therein, meansfor supplying moldable material to said die cavity, a die head movablerelative to said die body'for closing and opening said die cavity, aplunger carried 'bysa id die head and havinga portion movable into saidcavity and adapted'to shape a portion ofthe article being molded;fimeansfor'actuating'said die head, said plunger being mounted for movement insaid die headand relativeto sa'id'die body for disengaging the plungerfrom the article being molded, and means for imparting a relativelysudden disengaging movement to said plunger including a, rotary shaftprojecting from the die head and axially movable therewith and a rotarypower device mounted on said frame and having a lost-motion drivingconnection with said'shaft.

11. A molding machine. of the "character described'comprising, aframe,,a stationary die body on said frame and having a die cavitytherein, means for supplying moldable material to said die cavity, apressurefluidcylinder'on saidframe the the and 16 and :spaced 'i'romsaid die body, a die-head movablerelative to said die body for closingand-opening said die cavity and having a portion thereof reciprocable insaid cylinder and forming a piston therein, a plunger carried by saiddie head and havingaportion movable into said cavity and adapted toshape a portion of the article being molded, saidv plunger being mountedfor movement in said die head and relative .to said die body fordisengaging the plunger from the molded.

article, a shaft extending into said cylinder and die head and havingoperative connection with said plunger for imparting the-disengagingmovement to the latter, said-shaft being movable axially thereof withsaid die head, a power device on said frame, and means forming a splineconnection betweensaid shaft and power device.

12. A molding machine of the character described comprising, a'frame, astationary die body on said frame and having a die cavity therein, meansfor supplying moldable material to said die cavity, a pressure fluidcylinder onsaid frame and spaced from said die body, a die head'movablerelative to said die body for closing and opening said die cavity, apiston reciprocable in said cylinder and connected with said die head, aplunger carried by said die head and having a portion 'movable'into saidcavity and adapted'to shape a portionof the article being molded, saidplunger being mounted for rotary and axial movement in said die head andrelative to said die body'for disengagingthe plunger'from themoldedarticle, a rotary shaft extending into said die head and operablyconnected'with said plunger for imparting said rotary movement thereto,cooperating screw elements on said die head and plunger .for producingsaid axial movement of the plunger, said shaft being movable axiallythereof with said die head, a power device on said frame, and meansforming a spline connection'between saidshaft and power device.

13. A molding machine of the character described comprising, a'frame, astationary die-body on said frame and having a die cavity therein, meansfor supplying moldable material to said die cavity,'a pressure fluidcylinder on said frame and spaced from said die body, a die head movablerelative to said die body forclosing and opening said die cavity andhaving a portion thereof reciprocable in said cylinder and forming a piston therein, a plunger carried by said die head and having a portionmovable into said cavity and adapted to shape a portion of the'articlebeing molded, said plunger being mounted for rotary and axialmovement/in saiddie head and relative to said diebody for disengagingthe'plunger from the molded article, a rotary shaft extending into saiddie head and 'operablyconnected with said plunger for imparting saidrotary movement thereto, cooperating screw elements on said die head andplunger for producing said axial movement of the plunger, said shaftbeing movable axially thereof with said die head, a power device onsaidframe, and means forming'a spline con nection betwcen said'shaitandpower device.

14. A molding machine or the character described comprising, a frame, astationary die body on said "frame and having bores providing a group ofdie cavities therein, meansfor supplying moldable material to said diecavities, a pressure fluid cylinder on said frame and spaced from oneside of said die'body, a-die'head movable relative to said die body forclosing and opening said die cavities, a piston reciprocable in saidcylinder and connected withsaid die head, a first group 17 of plungerscarried by said die head and having portions movable into the respectivedie cavities from one end of said bores and adapted to shape portions ofthe'articles being molded, said first plungers being mounted formovement in said die head and relative to the die body for disengagingsaid first plungers from the molded articles, a second group of plungersextending into said bores from the one end thereof and cooperating withthe first plungers in forming said die cavities and in subjecting saidmaterial to molding pressure, a rotary shaft extending into said dievhead and having operative connection with said first plungers forimparting the disengaging; movement to the latter simultaneously, saidsecond plungers being also movable in said bores for expelling themolded articles from said cavities, a second power cylinder on the otherside of said die body, a piston operable in said second power cylinderand connected with said second plungers, said shaft being movableaxially thereof with said die head, a power device on said frame, andmeans forming a spline connection between said shaft and power device.

15. A molding machine of the character described comprising, a frame, astationary die body on said frame and having a group of die cavitiestherein, means for supplying moldable material to said die cavities, apressure fluid cylinder on said frame and spaced from said die body, adie head movable relative to said die body for closing and opening saiddie cavities, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and connected withsaid die head, a group of plungers carried by said die head and havingportions movable into the respective die cavities and adapted to shapeportions of the articles being molded, said plungers being mounted forrotary and axial movement in said die head and relative to the die bodyfor disengaging the plungers from the molded articles, a shaft extendinginto said cylinder and die head, said shaft being movable axiallythereof with said die head, gears connected with said p ungers anddisposed in a group in said die head, a driving pinion on said shaft andmeshing with the grouped gears for imparting said rotary movement to theplungers, cooperating screw elements on said plungers and die head forimparting said axial movement to the plungers, a power device on saidframe, and means forming a spline con nection between said shaft andpower device.

16. In a molding machine of the character described, a frame, astationary die body on said frame and having a die cavity therein, meansfor supplying moldable material to said die cavity, a pressure fluidcylinder on said frame and spaced from said die body, a die head movablerelative to said die body for closing and opening said die cavity, apiston recibrocable in said cylinder and connected with said die head, aplunger carried by said die head and having a portion movable into saidcavity and adapted to shape a portion of the article being molded, saidplunger being mounted for rotary and axial movement in said die head andrelative to said die body for disengaging the plunger from the moldedarticle. a rotary shaft extending into said die head and operablyconnected with said plunger for imparting said rotary movement thereto,cooperating screw elements on said die head and plunger for producingsaid axial movement of the plunger, a power device on said framecomprising a rotatable hub and a motor adapted to drive the same, saidshaft being movable axially thereof with said die head and extendingthrough said 18 hub, and means forming a-spline connection between saidshaft and hub.

17. In a molding machine of the character described, a frame, astationary die body on said frame and having a die cavity therein, meansfor supplying moldable material to said die cavity, a pressure fluidcylinder on said frame and spaced from said die body, a die head movablerelative to said die body for closing and opening said die cavity, apiston reciprocable in said cylinder and connected with said die head, aplunger carried by said die head and having a portion movable into saidcavity and adapted to shape a portion of the article being molded, saidplunger being mounted for rotary and axial movement insaid die head andrelative to said die body for disengaging the plunger from the moldedarticle, a rotary shaft extending into said die head and operablyconnected with said plunger for imparting said rotary movement thereto,cooperating screw elements on said die head and plunger for producingsaid axial. movement of the plunger, a

power device on said frame comprising a rotatable hub and a motor fordriving said hub, said shaft being movable axially thereof with said diehead and extending through said hub, means forming a spline connectionbetween said shaft and hub, and means forming a lost-motion drivingconnection between said motor and hub and enabling said hub to impart asudden rotary movement to said shaft.

18. In a molding machine of the character described, a frame, an annulargroup of die bodies on said frame and each having a bore thereinproviding a die cavity adapted to receive moldable material, an annulargroup of power cylinders on said frame at one side of said group of diebodies and providing one such cylinder for each die body, a secondannular group of power cylinders on said frame at the other side of saiddie bodies and also providing one such cylinder for each die body,pistons operable in the power cylinders of such annular groups, plungermeans connected with the pistons of the first annular group of cylindersand movable into the bores of said die bodies from one end and havingportions adapted to shape portions of the articles being molded, plungermeans connected with the pistons of the second annular group ofcylinders and movable into said bores from the other end for cooperationwith the first plunger means in subjecting said material to moldingpressure and being also movable in said bores for expelling the moldedarticles therefrom, a magazine located substantially centrally of saidgroup of die bodies and adapted to contain a supply of said moldablematerial, a feed shuttle for each die body and being movable back andforth between said magazine and die body for supplying moldable materialto the die cavity of the latter, and a common actuating means for all ofthe feed shuttles.

19. In a molding machine of the character described, a frame, an annulargroup of die bodies on said frame and each having a bore thereinproviding a die cavity adapted to receive moldable material, an annulargroup of power cylinders on said frame at one side of said group of diebodies and providing one such cylinder for each die body, a secondannular group of power cylinders on said frame at the other side of saiddie bodies and also providing one such cylinder for each die body,pistons operable in the power cylinders of such annular groups, anannular group of die heads on said one side of said die bodies andconnected with the pistons of the first 19 annular .group of cylinders,plunger means carried by said die heads and movable into the bores ofsaid die bodies from one end and having portions adapted to shapeportions of the articles being molded, plunger means connected with thepistons of the second annular group of cylinders and movable into saidbores from the other end for cooperation with the first plunger means insubjecting said material to molding pressure and being also movable insaid bores for expelling the molded articles therefrom, the plungermeans of said die heads being mounted therein for rotary and axialmovement for disengaging the plungers from the molded articles, rotaryshafts extending into the respective die heads, means in said die headsand adapted to be driven by said rotary shaft for causing said rotaryand axial movement to be imparted to said first plunger means, saidshafts being movable axially thereof with said die heads, an annulargroup of power devices on said frame, means forming spline connectionsbetween said shaft and said power devices, a magazine locatedsubstantially centrally of said group of die bodies and adapted tocontain a supply of said moldable material, a feed 20 shuttle for eachdie body and being movable back and forth between said magazine and diebody for supplying moldable material to the die cavity of the latter,and a common actuating means for the feed shuttles.

LEE B. GREEN.

EFE E CE IT D The following references are of record in the file of thispatent:

v UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,212,483 Soubier Aug. 20, 19402,218,456 Soubier Oct. 15, 1940 2,228,614 Soubier Jan. 14, 19412,306,205 Crosman Dec. 22, 1942 2,326,382 Moreland Aug. 10, 19432,363,808 Sayre Nov. 28, 19451 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date696,643 Germany Sept. 26, 1940 3,810 Great Britain Mar. 24, 11885

